Chapter 3 #4
“What?” Clara jeered, playfully poking his ribs. “Am I not speaking like a lady? I’d argue that you haven’t been much of a gentleman, what with all your lies. I don’t much care for deception.”
“How do you mean?”
She harrumphed, twirling her parasol more vigorously. “Since you’re reading The Taming of the Shrew, allow me to enlighten you with a likeness you might understand: you remind me of Sly donning the garments of a lord.”
Benjamin’s heart stuttered in his chest, yet he managed a hearty chuckle.
“Although it pains me, I must admit, I don’t follow your logic,” he treaded carefully.
“Unlike Sly, I am not at the center of anyone’s cruel prank…
Or at least, I hope.” He glanced her way.
“However, much like many of the characters in that production, I do wish to change my socially defined role—though in my instance, I yearn to play a part in ending this war.”
“By what means? A disguise?” Clara challenged, causing his pulse to drum erratically. “Quite a few of those characters masqueraded as other men. Is that what you intend to do? Become someone else, just as Tranio dressed up as Lucentio?”
Benjamin forced a laugh. “If I can aid in the king’s cause by becoming someone else, then yes, absolutely. When I told your father I would do anything to help, I meant it.”
Clara pursed her mouth. “And how far are you willing to go, exactly?”
“As far as it takes.” Looking down at her, he vowed, “I would do anything for our king—even degrade myself to the highest degree.”
Clara hummed under her breath, sparing him a disbelieving glance.
Desperate to deflect, Benjamin reminded her, “Wasn’t it you who said I lack modesty?
Perhaps I should demean myself for the king, if only to lower my sense of self.
” Glancing at their chaperone, he looked forward again before asking, “Speaking of our king and his devotees, do you know who your father’s invited tonight?
I’ve heard quite a bit about Mayor Mathews, so as you can imagine, I’d very much like to make his acquaintance. ”
Clara pouted. “Why? The man is an eel. His own supporters find his character questionable.”
Trying not to sound too eager, Benjamin prodded, “And your father doesn’t?”
She shrugged. “Father is an eel, too,” she replied.
“To what regard, I do not know, but they’re old school chums. That merits a sort of loyalty, I suppose…
they studied law together, and thus, help one another break said law.
” She eyed him shrewdly. “I imagine these secrets will all be passed on to you, seeing how you’re about to become part of this family. ”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Benjamin replied, feigning dismay. “Your father’s rather taciturn. I doubt I’ll be privy to the family secrets any time soon.”
Clara shrugged again, brushing back a wayward lock of hair that spilled free from her updo.
“Perhaps you’re right,” she agreed. “The truth is, Father only confides in Mother and Lottie, so I have to get my news from hearsay, and what little fragments he mutters at the dinner table. I have no idea who he’s inviting. ”
“But surely you’ve met his friends before?”
Peering at Benjamin beneath her parasol, Clara flashed him a look of bored exasperation.
“I’ve tolerated this long enough, Philip,” she admonished.
“You may be our guest, but it just so happens that I have some questions for you now. For starters: How did you meet Lottie? I never quite got the full story. You don’t exude ‘fine dining and parties,’ so I can’t imagine how your paths might have crossed. ”
Benjamin tensed his hands, not having expected the deflection. Clara was far, far too good at questioning his motives. “You give me too little credit,” he said, waving a hand. “We met at a party hosted by a mutual friend. While Charlotte inquired about my business, I happened to fall in love.”
Clara snorted. “You fell in love because she asked about shipbuilding? Men truly are all the same, aren’t they?” He ignored her, so she continued, “And who was this mutual friend?”
Oh, rot it all…
Straightening, Benjamin shrugged as though it were of no consequence. “You wouldn’t know him.”
“Wouldn’t I? She is my sister, Philip. I make a point to know everyone she meets.” Canting her head, Clara appraised him with clear interest. “Unless there is a reason you don’t wish for me to know?”
“Of course not, I…I beg your forgiveness.” Fumbling through the Philadelphian names in his mental stock, Benjamin plucked one free and said, “It was Augustus Winthrop. He’s rather partial to matchmaking, so I failed to realize it was a set-up until…
w-well…I was already smitten, naturally.
” To his surprise, Clara appeared startled. “Was that not what you were expecting?”
“No,” she admitted, frowning. “I daresay it wasn’t.”
Benjamin found it a strange response, but wasn’t complaining. At least her suspicions, whatever they might have been, seemed diverted. Readjusting his tricorn, he continued his furtive appraisal while they walked at a more leisurely pace.
“Why do you suppose Mr. Winthrop was so eager for your match?” Clara asked. “He’s always been rather smitten with Lottie. I imagine if he weren’t so terribly old, not to mention, if he were far wealthier, he would’ve already married into the family.”
Benjamin shrugged, hoping his eyes didn’t reflect the brief stab of panic between his ribs. “Change of heart, perhaps?” he asked. “Maybe Winthrop is a romantic. If he can’t have her, then he wants to make sure she’s well taken care of.”
“Oh, hogwash,” Clara replied. “Male vanity wouldn’t allow such a thing.”
“You don’t think so?”
“I know so. Masculine pride is the very reason we are ensnared by this horrid war to begin with.”
“Among other reasons,” Benjamin countered. “We entered this fight for economic motives. Many businesses, loyalist ones, are suffering from the lack of trade with our king.”
Clara snorted. “I hope you’re not trying to explain what I already know, sir. I may only be expected to hold court, but I am well aware that everyone’s suffering.”
Not everyone, Benjamin thought, looking her over in disdain. “Forgive me, Miss Boyd,” he said. “I didn’t mean to suggest you were uneducated.”
“Perhaps not in the way you are educated,” Clara agreed, appraising him with a sly smile. “Since you’re a Philadelphian gentleman, I presume you attended the College of Philadelphia?”
“Yale, actually,” Benjamin replied. “My father and its president were childhood friends, so the choice was inevitable.”
“You’re an Eli?” Clara asked, a playful grin lighting up her face. “Oh, yes, of course; I see it now. One of my old beaux went to Yale. You educated sorts are in constant need of someone to keep your vanities in check.”
Benjamin snorted. “And as a woman who holds an endless supply of said vanities, I trust you are the primary expert?”
She simpered. “You are sharp, I’ll give you that. Any man who can eviscerate me within a moment’s notice has my respect. However, no, I don’t find myself presumptuous enough to teach you a lesson. That is Lottie’s job. And what a trying job it must surely be!”
Before Benjamin could reply, the sound of horse hooves thudded hollowly against the earth, and both looked up as a British officer rode toward them upon a sleek, beautiful black horse.
The man had a cocked hat, dark hair, and an aquiline nose, and was bedecked in a full regimental coat with white facings and gleaming, polished buttons bearing the number 17 on each surface.
The sight made Benjamin’s mouth go dry. In his mind, all he could picture were the soldiers lined up at Daniel’s execution, each of them dotting the terrain like freshly spilt blood.
Major General Bishop gave a whistle like a bird, and then Benjamin and the other patriots descended upon the scene, mindful of the screaming civilians as they attempted to reach Daniel in time.
“Major Markham!” Clara greeted, startling Benjamin out of his trance. “What a pleasant surprise!”
The man clicked his tongue, then rode to a stop alongside them, gently crooning to his mare while she nickered in displeasure. As he pulled firmly on her reins, the harsh tug reminded Benjamin of a tightening noose.
Beaming, Clara gestured to her right. “Have you met Mr. Philip Ashby yet, Major? He is Charlotte’s betrothed.”
The officer’s eyes lit up, then he looked to Benjamin.
“At long last. The man of the hour!” he exclaimed, extending a gloved hand.
“A pleasure, sir! I am Major Adam Markham, officer of His Majesty’s 17th Regiment of Foot.
Though I suppose we’ll be getting to know one another rather well, seeing how Jed’s invited me to your party tonight. ”
Clara perked up, watching the two shake hands. “Ooh, will any other officers be in attendance?”
“But of course, Miss Boyd.”
Quickly, Benjamin retracted his hand. “It’s so good to make your acquaintance, sir,” he said. “Anyone serving the king is surely serving the Lord, as well.”
“Hear, hear!” Adam agreed, drawing back with a grin. “Are you able to watch the cockfight this afternoon? It was arranged last minute, but the boys and I wished to give Jed a surprise in light of your good news. Word travels fast in these parts, you know. My highest congratulations!”
Not wishing to be thwarted from his original plans, Benjamin laughed and waved a hand, feigning embarrassment. “Oh, no, no, as thoughtful as that all is, I’m afraid I grow faint at the sight of blood, any blood, which is precisely why I won’t enlist.”
“Truly?” Adam asked, amused disbelief brightening his face. “Alas, that’s what we get for orchestrating a surprise. You must beg my forgiveness.”
“A surprise you were all too happy to divulge, I see,” Clara teased.
He winked. “Secrets are no fun if they cannot be shared!” Stroking his mare’s neck, Adam added, “I suppose I’ll continue on to the house.
Jed isn’t due back for another couple hours, but I figured I’d start assessing the hay and livestock set aside for the King’s Men.
Perhaps I might even help myself to that apple pie your cook is so exemplary at, Miss Boyd?
” He tipped his hat with a jaunty grin. “It was a pleasure making your acquaintance, Mr. Ashby.”
“The pleasure was all mine, Major,” Benjamin replied.
As Adam rode off, Clara nudged him and jeered, “It would seem he thinks you’re a fribble. Well done, Philip.”
Benjamin said nothing. It was only when the major became a small, barely visible red dot that he was fully able to breathe again.